Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq, had instructed its fighter to attack Egypt's Coptic Christians two weeks before a Church was blown up in Alexandria killing 22 people, according to a statement posted on the group's website. The website, named the Network of Islamic Glory, published a statement calling fighters to "wake up" and prepare for "bombing churches during Christmas celebrations."

"We did not forget your heinous action in Egypt and your kidnapping of those Muslim women who chose to discard the illusion of what you call Christianity," the group said, addressing what it called "the Crusader West." "Therefore, I call upon myself and upon every Muslim jealous of the dignity of his sisters to bomb churches during Christmas celebrations, meaning at the time when churches are crowded," the statement, cited by Al Arabia, added.

The group mentioned names of other churches to be targeted, including the Coptic Christian Saints Church in Alexandria, which was bombed on Saturday. The group provided comprehensive details of each target church and concluded the details with words saying, "This is all what I could gather, my dear brother."

The statement also included information of how to make an explosive device.